PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The PH Studio Milk Tea and Akko V3 Piano Pro are both linear switches that offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Milk Tea switch stands out with its high-pitched yet muted sound profile, making it a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. With a light bottom-out force of just 43.5g, it is specifically designed for prolonged typing sessions, ensuring effortless keystrokes with the help of Ly stem material. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switches feature a snappy sound signature that adds a lively and crisp quality to each keystroke. Despite the auditory charm, they maintain a smooth actuation for a pleasing tactile experience. While both switches offer their own set of qualities to consider, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37.5g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
The main difference between the housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Akko V3 Piano Pro is the type of plastic used. The Milk Tea features a POM top and bottom housing, while the V3 Piano Pro uses nylon for both its top and bottom housing. POM housings are known for creating a unique and pleasing sound profile that is deep and relatively muted, while nylon housings provide a deeper and fuller sound profile due to their softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to the POM housing.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Milk Tea and the V3 Piano Pro offer a similar typing experience with deep and pleasing sound profiles. The POM top housing of the Milk Tea creates a unique sound that is slightly different from the nylon top housing of the V3 Piano Pro, but the overall result is still satisfying and enjoyable. The bottom housings of both keyboards also contribute to the overall sound profile, with the POM bottom housing of the Milk Tea and the nylon bottom housing of the V3 Piano Pro impacting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches.
In conclusion, while the housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Akko V3 Piano Pro differ, they both provide a deep and pleasing sound profile that enhances the typing experience. The POM and nylon housings each bring their own unique qualities to the switches, with POM offering a more muted and softer sound while nylon provides a fuller and rounder sound. Whether you prefer the unique sound of POM or the fuller sound of nylon, both keyboards offer a satisfying typing experience that will appeal to keyboard enthusiasts looking for high-quality housing materials.
Weight
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams compared to the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams. Similarly, the Milk Tea has a lighter bottom out force of 43.5 grams while the V3 Piano Pro has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that the Milk Tea switch will provide a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for those who prefer typing for longer periods without fatigue. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switch offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing feel and force required for optimal performance.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall in the range of shorter travel distances which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. However, the Milk Tea has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Piano Pro. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Piano Pro may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a bit more depth in your key presses, the Milk Tea with its slightly longer travel distance might be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, so your personal preference will be the deciding factor in choosing between the two.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The PH Studio Milk Tea has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milk Tea for $4.00.
The Akko V3 Piano Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Piano Pro for $3.10.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is best described as producing a high-pitched and marbly sound, offering a unique auditory experience that blends sharpness with a certain level of muted quality. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch is known for its snappy and resonant sound signature, adding a lively and crisp quality to each keystroke. While both switches share the descriptor of being clacky and resonant, the Milk Tea leans more towards a high-pitched and subtle sound profile, while the V3 Piano Pro offers a more vibrant and engaging auditory feedback.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Milk Tea is praised for providing a polished and silky typing experience, characterized by a smooth and refined finish that minimizes friction and enhances key travel comfort. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switch is known for its bouncy and creamy feel, offering a spring-like feedback and a smooth, buttery typing sensation. Both switches share the descriptor of being polished and silky, emphasizing a focus on smoothness and ease of typing.
Overall, when comparing the subjective qualities of the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, it's evident that they each offer a unique sound and feel profile tailored to different preferences. The Milk Tea excels in providing a high-pitched and marbly sound with a polished and silky typing experience, catering to those who appreciate a subtle and refined typing feedback. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro stands out with its snappy and resonant sound quality, combined with a bouncy and creamy typing feel that adds a lively and engaging element to each keystroke. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer distinct characteristics that will enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prioritize a gentle balance between presence and subtlety in sound, with a smooth and effortless typing feel, the Milk Tea switch with its light bottom-out force and polished/silky feel would be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lively and crisp sound signature with a pleasing tactile experience, the V3 Piano Pro switch with its medium-light bottom-out force and bouncy/creamy feel may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing habits and preferences for sound and feel.
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